Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Numbers, Chapters 11-13 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
Numbers 11: 1-6: … [Grumbling and Complaining] … 1 Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died down. 3 So that place was called Taberah, because fire from the LORD had burned among them.
4 The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”
My Journal for Today: Wow! Today, when I went mining into God’s word for His wisdom (as Job described in Chapter 28 of his book) I found some real valuable jewels, rich stories on which I could blog. There is the powerful story of Moses’ siblings confronting him about his choice of a wife in Chapter 12; and then there was the wonderful story of the spies going out into the promised-land and bringing back their findings to Moses. Both of these stories have rich applications for us as believers and followers of God. However, when I first read through Chapter 11 of Numbers, right at the outset, there was the account of the people becoming grumblers. So, I’ve copied the beginning of that story above in Numbers 11: 1-6 for your consideration and my comments below.
Oh, dealing with God’s children must’ve been so, so frustrating for Moses, him being their Prophet, shepherd, and leader. Of course, Moses had the advantage of being in daily and direct communication with God there in the Tabernacle. BUT … those people had seen – and should’ve remembered – lesson after lesson of God’s mercy and grace and loving power. There was the miraculous deliverance from Egypt. There was the transmission of God’s will through His law. And there was God’s provision of manna for the people in their privation as they traversed through the wilderness toward God’s promised-land.
BUT … in spite of all that God had done, the people just didn’t get it, did they? God meets their needs; and what do they want? … Yeah, … more … much more! And even when God gives them more, as you can read in Chapter 11 of Numbers, what do they want [?]; … yeah, … even more. Does that remind you of anyone?
[A Prayer Pause] … Ok, Lord, I get it! You’re putting up a mirror of truth from Your word so that I will see that I’m no different than these grumbling Israelites. >>> I get it, Lord!! …
I seem to always ignore the truth of God’s clear word in my New Covenant Testament. For example, I read His clear promises in Romans 8: 28 and 2nd Peter 1: 3 and Phil. 4: 19; and yet I keep desiring more to satisfy my grumbling heart.
And my God keeps meeting my needs … every day and in every way. Oh, … I’m so weak of faith; and yes, I know – and believe – the truth of 2nd Corinthians 12: 9 … that my God’s grace is sufficient to shore me up in my times of self-pity and weakness. Yet, I still complain at times.
I don’t know about you; but I am so like those grumbling Israelites. And the promised land is out there, … just waiting for me … as I traverse through this wilderness of life to get there. Oh, how I need to heed the words and truth of Paul, when he wrote - with so much love – to the Philippians (in Phil. 3: 13-14), "… Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
If I can just look into the mirror of truth which God is putting up in front of my life every day … today … and remember what I know in my head, … exercising the faith that comes from believing it, … I will grumble less and follow more from faith. I need to pray as did the daddy in Luke 9: 24 … “I do believe [Lord]; help me overcome my unbelief!”
My Prayer Today: … Yes, Lord, that is my prayer today … that I follow You …in faith … without grumbling, taking my concerns directly to You and knowing that You ALWAYS give me what I need … in spite of what I want. I do believe You, Lord; … help me in my unbelief! Amen
Showing posts with label faithfulness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faithfulness. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
February 14, 2012 … Don’t Make Promises Lightly!
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Leviticus, Chapters 5-7 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
Leviticus 5: 4-6 … : … [Making Vows] … 4 or if anyone thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil (in any matter one might carelessly swear about) even though they are unaware of it, but then they learn of it and realize their guilt— 5 when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned. 6 As a penalty for the sin they have committed, they must bring to the LORD a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for them for their sin..
My Journal for Today: Have you ever made a vow or a promise to someone and later realized that you promised too much or made too great a commitment? I know I have; what about you? Well, according to the passage I’ve been shown to highlight and comment on today, making vows is serious business and requires us to take care when we promise to do something and then recognize later we’ve fallen short with our vow.
There are several OT passages which reinforce, by repetition, God’s command to His people about the seriousness of making promises or vows. In Numbers 30: 1, God, through Moses, said to His people, … “This is what the LORD commands: 2 When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.” In Deuteronomy 23: 21 – 23 God’s word repeats, … 21 If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. 22 But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. 23 Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the LORD your God with your own mouth.
So, I hope we can see from God’s redundancy of teaching in the Old Testament that when we make/break vows or promises of commitment, that’s an affront – not only to the person to whom we’ve made the vow – but also to God Himself. And certainly this is just an Old Testament command. Jesus, the Messiah Himself, the fulfillment of all of God’s promises from the Old Covenant, Who was the New Covenant to God’s people, taught about making vows as well. In His famous “sermon on the mount,” Jesus taught (in Matt. 5: 33-37), ... 33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
Are we getting it? I certainly am convicted. How many times have I said to someone – all too casualty – as they seriously asked me to pray for them, “Sure, I’ll pray for you.” And then what did I do … NOT! What about all those years which I was unfaithful to my wife secretly delving into p0rnography, hiding it from my wife, with whom I had made vows of faithfulness in a church before God, family, and friends. And I expect there may be some reading here along with me that are convicted that we all too casually make promises to others upon which we don’t follow through; and sometimes we make such promises, knowing full-well – on the front-end - that we’re not going to keep them. My friends, if we don’t take our vows and promises seriously, we are sinning and are guilty before God’s throne of grace, … AREN’T WE?!!
So, what do we do about it? Well, our highlight passage gives us one follow-up command which we simply must follow when we realize that we’ve sinned by not keeping our promises; and that is to confess. Fortunately, if we are truly believers in the Living Christ; and we’ve come under His cleansing blood, we have the truth and promise of 1st John 1: 9, where God promises to cleanse us of any/all sin … IF … we come to Him with a truly repentant heart, confess, and ask for His forgiveness (and when God promises something we can take it to the heavenly banks). And also in God’s word (in James 5:16) we’re directed to confess to others when they are involved in our sin of broken promises.
But we also should be as proactive as we can in our relationship with God and with others, which leads me to realize that I shouldn’t be telling someone I’m going to pray for them if I’m just trying to court their favor or good will with the baseless promise. No, I’ve learned a way to handle that; and let me leave you with this little discipleship tool. When you’re with someone who asks for your prayer; and you genuinely want to pray for them … BUT … you know that you have a tendency to be forgetful or weak later after you’ve promised you’d pray. Well, I’ve learned from my Pastor to stop right there, wherever you are, and pray for that person openly and verbally, at least fulfilling your desire to pray for them about their concerns. Yes, you might tell them that you’ll do your best to TRY TO pray for them in the future; but at least desiring to pray for them and doing it right there begins the process of bringing their concerns to God. You’ll feel better; and I know, from experience, that you’ll more likely remember to pray for them in the future if you’ve done so personally and verbally on the spot.
But we do need to take very seriously the vows we make to others; and if we’ve breeched those vows, we need to confess that to God and to those whom we’ve wronged with broken promises; … and … we need God’s cleansing grace … not the sacrifices offered in Leviticus … to have our sinful broken vows made right before God and man.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, let my word and promises be true to You and to others in my life. Amen
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Leviticus, Chapters 5-7 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
Leviticus 5: 4-6 … : … [Making Vows] … 4 or if anyone thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil (in any matter one might carelessly swear about) even though they are unaware of it, but then they learn of it and realize their guilt— 5 when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned. 6 As a penalty for the sin they have committed, they must bring to the LORD a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for them for their sin..
My Journal for Today: Have you ever made a vow or a promise to someone and later realized that you promised too much or made too great a commitment? I know I have; what about you? Well, according to the passage I’ve been shown to highlight and comment on today, making vows is serious business and requires us to take care when we promise to do something and then recognize later we’ve fallen short with our vow.
There are several OT passages which reinforce, by repetition, God’s command to His people about the seriousness of making promises or vows. In Numbers 30: 1, God, through Moses, said to His people, … “This is what the LORD commands: 2 When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.” In Deuteronomy 23: 21 – 23 God’s word repeats, … 21 If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. 22 But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. 23 Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the LORD your God with your own mouth.
So, I hope we can see from God’s redundancy of teaching in the Old Testament that when we make/break vows or promises of commitment, that’s an affront – not only to the person to whom we’ve made the vow – but also to God Himself. And certainly this is just an Old Testament command. Jesus, the Messiah Himself, the fulfillment of all of God’s promises from the Old Covenant, Who was the New Covenant to God’s people, taught about making vows as well. In His famous “sermon on the mount,” Jesus taught (in Matt. 5: 33-37), ... 33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
Are we getting it? I certainly am convicted. How many times have I said to someone – all too casualty – as they seriously asked me to pray for them, “Sure, I’ll pray for you.” And then what did I do … NOT! What about all those years which I was unfaithful to my wife secretly delving into p0rnography, hiding it from my wife, with whom I had made vows of faithfulness in a church before God, family, and friends. And I expect there may be some reading here along with me that are convicted that we all too casually make promises to others upon which we don’t follow through; and sometimes we make such promises, knowing full-well – on the front-end - that we’re not going to keep them. My friends, if we don’t take our vows and promises seriously, we are sinning and are guilty before God’s throne of grace, … AREN’T WE?!!
So, what do we do about it? Well, our highlight passage gives us one follow-up command which we simply must follow when we realize that we’ve sinned by not keeping our promises; and that is to confess. Fortunately, if we are truly believers in the Living Christ; and we’ve come under His cleansing blood, we have the truth and promise of 1st John 1: 9, where God promises to cleanse us of any/all sin … IF … we come to Him with a truly repentant heart, confess, and ask for His forgiveness (and when God promises something we can take it to the heavenly banks). And also in God’s word (in James 5:16) we’re directed to confess to others when they are involved in our sin of broken promises.
But we also should be as proactive as we can in our relationship with God and with others, which leads me to realize that I shouldn’t be telling someone I’m going to pray for them if I’m just trying to court their favor or good will with the baseless promise. No, I’ve learned a way to handle that; and let me leave you with this little discipleship tool. When you’re with someone who asks for your prayer; and you genuinely want to pray for them … BUT … you know that you have a tendency to be forgetful or weak later after you’ve promised you’d pray. Well, I’ve learned from my Pastor to stop right there, wherever you are, and pray for that person openly and verbally, at least fulfilling your desire to pray for them about their concerns. Yes, you might tell them that you’ll do your best to TRY TO pray for them in the future; but at least desiring to pray for them and doing it right there begins the process of bringing their concerns to God. You’ll feel better; and I know, from experience, that you’ll more likely remember to pray for them in the future if you’ve done so personally and verbally on the spot.
But we do need to take very seriously the vows we make to others; and if we’ve breeched those vows, we need to confess that to God and to those whom we’ve wronged with broken promises; … and … we need God’s cleansing grace … not the sacrifices offered in Leviticus … to have our sinful broken vows made right before God and man.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, let my word and promises be true to You and to others in my life. Amen
Monday, January 09, 2012
January 9, 2012 … Frustrated … But Faithful
Passage of the Day: Chapter/Verse Reference: Job, Chapters 21-23 … To study these chapters, go to this link >>>
Study Passage: Job 21-23: [Comment: Today it’s difficult for this blogger to highlight any one passage for my journal comments. I’m afraid the reader will have to take in all three of my study chapters today to get a flavor of my journal entry today.]
My Journal for Today: In my reading through the Book of Job as part of my trek through the Bible chronologically this year, there continues to be this serial dialog between Job and his so-called “friends,” … the three who keep trying to convince Job that his condition and circumstances point to some hidden sin or pattern of disobedience of their God, Jehovah, Whom they all hold in reverence. But poor Job keeps holding to his position – partly held in confusion and frustration – that his friends don’t seem to get the truth that bad things happen to good people and good things (by man’s judgment) happen to bad people. And Job’s position is supported by his faith in and reverence for their God, Whom Job knows is always right and always in control.
And I don’t know about you; but I have a tendency to hold Job’s three “friends,” who’ve become his harshest critics, in some degree of malcontent, … feeling that they are just not seeing Job’s situation with any degree of empathy for their “friend.” They also just seem to be closed to the reality that God sees things – all things – with His infinite and all-controlling omniscience, which is a picture that no man can see clearly. And as I read this interaction between Job and the three, I think of the words of God’s clarity from Isaiah 55: 8-9, where God states to the Prophet, 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” And I can’t seem to hold back my judgment of Job’s friends as I think, “Why can’t you dudes see this truth!”
Job’s “WHY ME” search is certainly natural; and the misshaped criticisms of his critics in this portion of the Book of Job are really understandable as well. So, … I need to have a little more charity for Job’s three friends; because I, like them, have a tendency to judge the motives and ideas of others based upon what I see in their lives; and I often make judgments about people, thinking that I know and can see what God knows and sees. NOT!!! >>> These days we call it “profiling,” don’t we? And it’s just, flat WRONG!!!
Given Job’s circumstances, especially being the righteous man he was, why wouldn’t Job be asking God, “WHY?” And in anybody’s life, as we view others, maybe we all need to back off with our judgments and trust that God knows best and that He’s ALWAYS in control; … and, especially for born-again believers, God is always working things out for the good of His children. Isn’t that the message of truth in Romans 8: 28, … which is a passage with which I always seem to challenged by my weak faith.
Job was challenged too – to the “Nth” degree; but even though God was teaching Job a lesson in humility that our Lord obviously felt Job needed to learn, Job held on to His fear of the Lord and His reverence for God’s sovereignty in the midst of all of the circumstances which were so baffling to him. I would hope that we all can hold on to our faith as we face life’s most challenging trials, … letting God do His thing … ALWAYS for our good.
My Prayer Today: … Help me, Lord … to hold on to my faith in Your sovereign good. Amen
Study Passage: Job 21-23: [Comment: Today it’s difficult for this blogger to highlight any one passage for my journal comments. I’m afraid the reader will have to take in all three of my study chapters today to get a flavor of my journal entry today.]
My Journal for Today: In my reading through the Book of Job as part of my trek through the Bible chronologically this year, there continues to be this serial dialog between Job and his so-called “friends,” … the three who keep trying to convince Job that his condition and circumstances point to some hidden sin or pattern of disobedience of their God, Jehovah, Whom they all hold in reverence. But poor Job keeps holding to his position – partly held in confusion and frustration – that his friends don’t seem to get the truth that bad things happen to good people and good things (by man’s judgment) happen to bad people. And Job’s position is supported by his faith in and reverence for their God, Whom Job knows is always right and always in control.
And I don’t know about you; but I have a tendency to hold Job’s three “friends,” who’ve become his harshest critics, in some degree of malcontent, … feeling that they are just not seeing Job’s situation with any degree of empathy for their “friend.” They also just seem to be closed to the reality that God sees things – all things – with His infinite and all-controlling omniscience, which is a picture that no man can see clearly. And as I read this interaction between Job and the three, I think of the words of God’s clarity from Isaiah 55: 8-9, where God states to the Prophet, 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” And I can’t seem to hold back my judgment of Job’s friends as I think, “Why can’t you dudes see this truth!”
Job’s “WHY ME” search is certainly natural; and the misshaped criticisms of his critics in this portion of the Book of Job are really understandable as well. So, … I need to have a little more charity for Job’s three friends; because I, like them, have a tendency to judge the motives and ideas of others based upon what I see in their lives; and I often make judgments about people, thinking that I know and can see what God knows and sees. NOT!!! >>> These days we call it “profiling,” don’t we? And it’s just, flat WRONG!!!
Given Job’s circumstances, especially being the righteous man he was, why wouldn’t Job be asking God, “WHY?” And in anybody’s life, as we view others, maybe we all need to back off with our judgments and trust that God knows best and that He’s ALWAYS in control; … and, especially for born-again believers, God is always working things out for the good of His children. Isn’t that the message of truth in Romans 8: 28, … which is a passage with which I always seem to challenged by my weak faith.
Job was challenged too – to the “Nth” degree; but even though God was teaching Job a lesson in humility that our Lord obviously felt Job needed to learn, Job held on to His fear of the Lord and His reverence for God’s sovereignty in the midst of all of the circumstances which were so baffling to him. I would hope that we all can hold on to our faith as we face life’s most challenging trials, … letting God do His thing … ALWAYS for our good.
My Prayer Today: … Help me, Lord … to hold on to my faith in Your sovereign good. Amen
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
July 20, 2011 … Rejection Because of Your Faith
Passage of the Day: 1st John 3: 13 … Do not be surprised, my brothers [and sisters], if the world hates you.
My Journal for Today: The eleventh and final signpost discussed by the Apostle John in this epistle to give believers the assurance of their salvation is the obvious rejection of our Christianity by the world. Today’s verse is absolutely clear on this; and any Christian today would have to be blind, deaf, and frankly, dumb, to ignore the socio-political incorrectness of Christianity in today’s marketplace of ideas and ideals. No, Christians may not be tarred and burned by Nero’s evil empire as they were in the 1st Century at the time John penned his epistle; but there is great persecution of Christians around the world; and there is every attempt by worldly political influences, even in this great, free country, to erase the Name of “God” or “Christ” from any degree of political influence or stature.
In John’s day, the church was dealing with outside worldly influences and out-right liars about the faith. They were confronting false teachers and doctrines, dangerous heresies, and the forerunners of Gnosticism and dualism. Expressions of all of these are still found in today’s culture as well, though maybe more intensely than was experienced by John and the early church because of our era of lightning speed in information transfer. So, John’s letter to the church, helping them to establish confidence in their faith, is just a valid now as it was when he wrote it over two millennia ago.
Jesus certainly warned His disciples of such lies and false doctrines (see John 15: 18 – 19); and we know that from the beginning of human time, “the world” has been out to destroy those of faith in the One, True God. Cain killed Able for this reason (see Gen. 4 and 1st John 3: 12). Saul of Tarsus (who became the Apostle Paul) and his worldly religionists had the first Christian martyr, Stephen, stoned for his beliefs (see Acts 7). And, of course, … there was that business on the cross with Jesus, which is sort of significant to this context and discussion [and please forgive my ironic levity about such an important matter].
Again I return to today’s world, where the reality of worldly hatred of all things related to Christ and God is under attack, often blatantly and directly. Certainly seeing this, though most disquieting and challenging for the Christian, we should be uplifted by the reality it presents. Either the world is right or we, as Christians, are! And if we are right (and we are!); the challenges of the world should give us the same confidence in our faith as it did for those first century Christians who were literally torched and burned for their faith. But remember; … more Christians have been martyred for their faith in the 20th and 21st centuries than in all the combined previous centuries. So, we need to have the same “die-for-the-faith” attitude as did those first century martyrs.
Take heart, Christian! … We are IN the world; but we are not OF the world! And, … we have been saved FROM the world (see Rom. 10: 9 - 13).
My Prayer Today: Thank You, Lord … that I am saved FROM the world. Amen
My Journal for Today: The eleventh and final signpost discussed by the Apostle John in this epistle to give believers the assurance of their salvation is the obvious rejection of our Christianity by the world. Today’s verse is absolutely clear on this; and any Christian today would have to be blind, deaf, and frankly, dumb, to ignore the socio-political incorrectness of Christianity in today’s marketplace of ideas and ideals. No, Christians may not be tarred and burned by Nero’s evil empire as they were in the 1st Century at the time John penned his epistle; but there is great persecution of Christians around the world; and there is every attempt by worldly political influences, even in this great, free country, to erase the Name of “God” or “Christ” from any degree of political influence or stature.
In John’s day, the church was dealing with outside worldly influences and out-right liars about the faith. They were confronting false teachers and doctrines, dangerous heresies, and the forerunners of Gnosticism and dualism. Expressions of all of these are still found in today’s culture as well, though maybe more intensely than was experienced by John and the early church because of our era of lightning speed in information transfer. So, John’s letter to the church, helping them to establish confidence in their faith, is just a valid now as it was when he wrote it over two millennia ago.
Jesus certainly warned His disciples of such lies and false doctrines (see John 15: 18 – 19); and we know that from the beginning of human time, “the world” has been out to destroy those of faith in the One, True God. Cain killed Able for this reason (see Gen. 4 and 1st John 3: 12). Saul of Tarsus (who became the Apostle Paul) and his worldly religionists had the first Christian martyr, Stephen, stoned for his beliefs (see Acts 7). And, of course, … there was that business on the cross with Jesus, which is sort of significant to this context and discussion [and please forgive my ironic levity about such an important matter].
Again I return to today’s world, where the reality of worldly hatred of all things related to Christ and God is under attack, often blatantly and directly. Certainly seeing this, though most disquieting and challenging for the Christian, we should be uplifted by the reality it presents. Either the world is right or we, as Christians, are! And if we are right (and we are!); the challenges of the world should give us the same confidence in our faith as it did for those first century Christians who were literally torched and burned for their faith. But remember; … more Christians have been martyred for their faith in the 20th and 21st centuries than in all the combined previous centuries. So, we need to have the same “die-for-the-faith” attitude as did those first century martyrs.
Take heart, Christian! … We are IN the world; but we are not OF the world! And, … we have been saved FROM the world (see Rom. 10: 9 - 13).
My Prayer Today: Thank You, Lord … that I am saved FROM the world. Amen
Friday, June 24, 2011
June 24, 2011 … Integrity Triumphs Over Deception
Passage of the Day: Daniel 6: 6 – 9 … 6 So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said: “O King Darius, live forever! 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing.
My Journal for Today: In the devotional book, Strength for Today, … the book that I have used to drive these daily journal entries, John MacArthur, on this date, quotes a prayer of King David in Psalm 5: 8 – 12 [linked here for your study], where David prayed that those who would plot to deceive him would be punished by God. Actually, a prayer like that one could have been Daniel’s prayer as well as we read what the jackals in King Darius’ court plotted against Daniel. And Darius, like Nebuchadnezzar years before him, had fallen prey to the ego-driven deceit of the King’s men, which set in motion another serious test of Daniel’s faith and spiritual integrity.
And as we read the story unfold in the rest of Daniel 6 (also, as I have read on ahead, you can follow my subsequent devotionals), God would protect Daniel again; and the deceitful men of the King’s court would lose their lives for plotting against God’s man, Daniel. From all of this, the lesson could not be clearer.
Faithful integrity which honors the one, true God, especially when tested, will be blessed by God’s will and way. And as it says in my wife’s favorite Bible verse, Prov. 3: 5 -6 (another passage I hope you’ve memorized by now), trusting God wholeheartedly finds the believer walking a straight, if narrow and harrowing, path in God’s direction. And we also know from one of my other memorized passages, 1st Cor. 10: 13, God’s promise is that He will always make a way for His faithful warriors to follow.
That was the way for Daniel; and that is the way it should be for all of us to follow the Lord.
My Prayer Today: Help me, Lord, to see Your path clearly … and then, to follow it faithfully. Amen
My Journal for Today: In the devotional book, Strength for Today, … the book that I have used to drive these daily journal entries, John MacArthur, on this date, quotes a prayer of King David in Psalm 5: 8 – 12 [linked here for your study], where David prayed that those who would plot to deceive him would be punished by God. Actually, a prayer like that one could have been Daniel’s prayer as well as we read what the jackals in King Darius’ court plotted against Daniel. And Darius, like Nebuchadnezzar years before him, had fallen prey to the ego-driven deceit of the King’s men, which set in motion another serious test of Daniel’s faith and spiritual integrity.
And as we read the story unfold in the rest of Daniel 6 (also, as I have read on ahead, you can follow my subsequent devotionals), God would protect Daniel again; and the deceitful men of the King’s court would lose their lives for plotting against God’s man, Daniel. From all of this, the lesson could not be clearer.
Faithful integrity which honors the one, true God, especially when tested, will be blessed by God’s will and way. And as it says in my wife’s favorite Bible verse, Prov. 3: 5 -6 (another passage I hope you’ve memorized by now), trusting God wholeheartedly finds the believer walking a straight, if narrow and harrowing, path in God’s direction. And we also know from one of my other memorized passages, 1st Cor. 10: 13, God’s promise is that He will always make a way for His faithful warriors to follow.
That was the way for Daniel; and that is the way it should be for all of us to follow the Lord.
My Prayer Today: Help me, Lord, to see Your path clearly … and then, to follow it faithfully. Amen
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
June 22, 2011 … Integrity Is Consistent
Passage of the Day: Daniel 6: 1 - 3 … 1 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, 2 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
My Journal for Today: As we move to Chapter 6 of the book of Daniel, the topic of note concerning INTEGRITY is “consistency,” …that is in this context, steadiness and long-term faithfulness in standing for what one believes. And Daniel is certainly a role model when it comes to being consistent and faithful in his long-standing role as quasi prime minister for over 70 years under three kings and two empires (the Babylonian and Medo-Persian Empires). All three kings, Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar (Nebuchadnezzar’s son), and Darius (a.k.a., “Cyrus”), saw the God-given integrity and talents which set Daniel apart to be able to administer leadership in those kingdoms (see Daniel 2: 48; 5: 29; and today’s passage).
By the way, for some of you Bible scholars who know ancient history, you may ask why there seems to be a discrepancy between the name of Darius, The Mede, who was named as ruler to the Medo-Persian kingdom in the Bible account of Daniel and the name of Cyrus, who was named in history books as the king of this empire at this time in history. According to my reading of John MacArthur and a little personal study, there are two explanations for this so-called inconsistency. First, as was the custom in those times, especially in those cultures, kings often changed names during their rule to increase their standing with their subjects – like a self-proclaimed promotion. Secondly, there is the possibility that Darius was appointed by Cyrus to rule the portion of the Medo-Persian empire where Daniel lived. According to most scholars, the first alternative is the most logical. [see Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985]
At any rate, each of the three kings over seven decades had recognized the consistently superior leadership skills which Daniel exhibited and kept him on as the “prime minister” of the kingdom under the rule of Darius (Cyrus). John MacArthur, in his devotional book Strength for Today on this date, posits that it was likely the influence of Daniel on king Darius [the one from Daniel 6] actually led to the release of the Jews to return to return to Judah (see Ezra 1: 1 – 3). And MacArthur charges all believers, “… despite any political, social, or economic changes that might come, (Christians must) remain faithful to Christ; and He will use you in ways that are exceeding abundantly beyond all you ask or think (see Eph. 3: 20).”
My Prayer Today: Lord, may I remain steadfast in and for You. Amen
My Journal for Today: As we move to Chapter 6 of the book of Daniel, the topic of note concerning INTEGRITY is “consistency,” …that is in this context, steadiness and long-term faithfulness in standing for what one believes. And Daniel is certainly a role model when it comes to being consistent and faithful in his long-standing role as quasi prime minister for over 70 years under three kings and two empires (the Babylonian and Medo-Persian Empires). All three kings, Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar (Nebuchadnezzar’s son), and Darius (a.k.a., “Cyrus”), saw the God-given integrity and talents which set Daniel apart to be able to administer leadership in those kingdoms (see Daniel 2: 48; 5: 29; and today’s passage).
By the way, for some of you Bible scholars who know ancient history, you may ask why there seems to be a discrepancy between the name of Darius, The Mede, who was named as ruler to the Medo-Persian kingdom in the Bible account of Daniel and the name of Cyrus, who was named in history books as the king of this empire at this time in history. According to my reading of John MacArthur and a little personal study, there are two explanations for this so-called inconsistency. First, as was the custom in those times, especially in those cultures, kings often changed names during their rule to increase their standing with their subjects – like a self-proclaimed promotion. Secondly, there is the possibility that Darius was appointed by Cyrus to rule the portion of the Medo-Persian empire where Daniel lived. According to most scholars, the first alternative is the most logical. [see Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985]
At any rate, each of the three kings over seven decades had recognized the consistently superior leadership skills which Daniel exhibited and kept him on as the “prime minister” of the kingdom under the rule of Darius (Cyrus). John MacArthur, in his devotional book Strength for Today on this date, posits that it was likely the influence of Daniel on king Darius [the one from Daniel 6] actually led to the release of the Jews to return to return to Judah (see Ezra 1: 1 – 3). And MacArthur charges all believers, “… despite any political, social, or economic changes that might come, (Christians must) remain faithful to Christ; and He will use you in ways that are exceeding abundantly beyond all you ask or think (see Eph. 3: 20).”
My Prayer Today: Lord, may I remain steadfast in and for You. Amen
Saturday, June 11, 2011
June 11, 2011 … Integrity Results in Fruitful Witness
Passage of the Day: Daniel 1: 21 … And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.
My Journal for Today: Today’s highlight verse seems like such an innocent tag line to the end of the first chapter of the book of Daniel. However, upon analysis, and later reading in the book, we discover that Daniel was blessed by God’s favor to have great influence over the Babylonian nation/culture in those times for many years and through three kings … well into the take-over of the Medo-Persian Empire under King Darius (also known as “Cyrus”). This was a full seventy years after Daniel had come to a position of influence under Nebuchadnezzar and later Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s son, most certainly illustrating just how much God blessed Daniel, the young man whom we read about and are using as a biblical character model of spiritual integrity.
Now, we might not have the socio-political influence of a Daniel in our post-modern culture and world, especially in the highest office in America as I write this; but as believers in the same God Daniel worshipped, we can hold the same degree of integrity, faith, and commitment to THE one true God. And thereby, like Daniel, being obedient to our God, we can expect God’s grace to favor us … maybe not in the same way; but most certainly we can expect God’s blessing in HIS way and in His time to be ours.
John MacArthur, in Strength for Today, points out in his devotional for this date, that we should all live expectantly to hear the words of The Messiah, as I’m sure Daniel heard from the Lord in heaven when he departed this earth, …“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!.” [Matthew 25: 23] Could there be any more motivating truth to guide our lives, seeking after Christlike integrity, than the anticipation of these words from Jesus when we enter into His presence in glory?
My Prayer Today: That is my prayer, Lord, … to be Your faithful servant and to be an effective witness in Your Name. Amen
My Journal for Today: Today’s highlight verse seems like such an innocent tag line to the end of the first chapter of the book of Daniel. However, upon analysis, and later reading in the book, we discover that Daniel was blessed by God’s favor to have great influence over the Babylonian nation/culture in those times for many years and through three kings … well into the take-over of the Medo-Persian Empire under King Darius (also known as “Cyrus”). This was a full seventy years after Daniel had come to a position of influence under Nebuchadnezzar and later Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s son, most certainly illustrating just how much God blessed Daniel, the young man whom we read about and are using as a biblical character model of spiritual integrity.
Now, we might not have the socio-political influence of a Daniel in our post-modern culture and world, especially in the highest office in America as I write this; but as believers in the same God Daniel worshipped, we can hold the same degree of integrity, faith, and commitment to THE one true God. And thereby, like Daniel, being obedient to our God, we can expect God’s grace to favor us … maybe not in the same way; but most certainly we can expect God’s blessing in HIS way and in His time to be ours.
John MacArthur, in Strength for Today, points out in his devotional for this date, that we should all live expectantly to hear the words of The Messiah, as I’m sure Daniel heard from the Lord in heaven when he departed this earth, …“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!.” [Matthew 25: 23] Could there be any more motivating truth to guide our lives, seeking after Christlike integrity, than the anticipation of these words from Jesus when we enter into His presence in glory?
My Prayer Today: That is my prayer, Lord, … to be Your faithful servant and to be an effective witness in Your Name. Amen
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
April 6, 2008 … Jesus’ Admonition In Gethsemane
Passage of the Day: Matthew 26: 40 – 41 … 40 Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with Me for one hour?" He asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
PARALLEL SCRIPTURE: Mark 14: 37 - 38 Then He returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," He said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
PARALLEL SCRIPTURE: Luke 22: 45 - 46 When He rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 "Why are you sleeping?" He asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
My Journal for Today: Today I have supplied not only the text from Matt. 26 concerning the failure of Jesus’ three comrades, but also the parallel versions of this incident in Mark 14 and Luke 22. In these passages (note: these were written by men who were not at the scene) we read of the obvious disappointment of Christ when He found the men, His inner circle of chosen disciples, sleeping at their charged post. And in this moment of confrontation, Jesus gives a warning to His disciples (and by God’s Spirit to all believers) about our vigilance and the avoidance of temptation.
I think we can all identify and empathize with the very human weakness and failure of Peter, James, and John to remain vigilant in prayer as Jesus had asked them to be. They were confused, frustrated, and tired men; and any one of these conditions can make any believer vulnerable to the temptation of our mortal, sin-ridden heart (again, always remembering Jer. 17: 9). In today’s life and culture, I certainly have trouble focusing on the discipline of vigilance and prayer in my devotional and/or worship life. How many times do we arrive at church on Sunday morning or for our daily devotional with our minds/hearts going in 40 directions because of all the events and demands that have occurred before we settle into corporate or personal worship? And because of it, the temptation to relent to the “tyranny of the urgent,” we can only have half-hearted worship with our Lord.
Just a couple of days ago (go back to my devotional journal entry for April 4) I wrote of my personal confession for having missed a prayer meeting at our church for which I had been committed to participate because I simply overslept. Like Jesus’ three companions – His friends – I fell prey to my own inept desires and temptations; and I failed to stand watch and pray the way I had desired to do. I think we’re all vulnerable to our flesh in this way; and that’s why this passage today has such personal relevance for me.
The Apostle Paul, using his own past failures to help believers identify with such failures, recognized our tendency to let our flesh dominate our vigilance when he penned Romans 7: 14 – 23 [please take the time to seek out, read, and meditate on this passage]. However, in verses 24 – 25 of Romans 7, as well as all of Romans 8, Paul triumphantly declares where Christians can ALWAYS find the strength and power to be vigilant and to become overcomers as was our Lord (read John 16: 33 and then 2nd Cor. 12: 9).
SCRIPTURE: John 16: 33 [Jesus] "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
SCRIPTURE: 2nd Cor. 12: 9 But He [Jesus] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”
Yes, the same Holy Spirit, my indwelling Lord, the Third Person of the Trinity, Who allowed Jesus to be vigilant and strong, … to be the Overcomer of the world, … is the same Spirit Who resides in my heart (and yours, if you have received His saving and enabling grace). And all I have to do, as Paul wrote about in Romans 8, is to recognize and receive God’s grace, which, in turn, will allow my weak flesh and deceit-ridden heart to be able to deny self, and as Jesus also charge His disciples in Luke 9: 23, … to take up my Lord’s cross [yes, even where I am today], and to follow Him in prayer or into spiritual warfare, … allowing me to do what He challenged his three Disciples to do, … and that is to “watch and pray.” And as we read passages like 1st Cor. 10: 13 and Phil. 3: 13 – 14, we realize that we can do just that!
My Prayer Today: Praise You, Lord! Pour out Your grace, dear Jesus, especially when I wane in the flesh. Amen
Friday, February 11, 2011
February 11, 2011 … God Is Always With Us
Passage of the Day: Psalm 145: 18 … The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.
My Journal for Today: Yesterday we saw the tremendous encouraging impact of the truth involved in God’s omnipresence. Today’s verse, plus the promise of Hebrews 13: 5, which was quoted yesterday, and repeated below for emphasis, assures me – and any believer – that God will FOREVER be near the Christian who is willing to call on Him in Spirit and in truth.
SCRIPTURE: Heb. 13: 5 … God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." [quoted from Deut. 31: 6]
And perhaps it would be helpful here to reiterate the words of Christ, Himself, in His Great Commission [especially Matt. 28, verse 20] …
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28: 19-20 … “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Yes, this is an incredibly challenging command to every believer and to Christ’s Church; but again, note the tag line, underlined in bold above in verse 20, which assures all believers and the church that Christ’s (i.e., God’s) presence is rock solid as we venture forth as witnesses in His Name, especially witnessing in very challenging, if not dire, circumstances.
And so, as we walk the walk of faith, we can be assured, not only of God’s PRESENCE, but we can also be uplifted by the promise of God’s POWER. Yesterday, I made reference to 1st Cor. 10: 13, which is one of the verses from God’s truth which shores me up in times of trial or temptation. But other passages, which I’ve cast to memory, help me to know that in my weakness, as a believer, I now have God’s power and grace to be with me as I am His witness. I’ve referred to them or quoted these verses many times in my devotionals; but let’s read and meditate upon Acts 1: 8 and 2nd Cor. 12: 9 … both from the words of Jesus Himself …
SCRIPTURE: Acts 1: 8 … “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
SCRIPTURE: 2nd Cor. 12: 9 … But He [Jesus] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in [your] weakness." …
So, as you meditate on those words from our Lord, doesn’t it lift you up? When I call on my Lord “in truth” (see today’s verse – which refers to calling on Him with belief in His word), I can KNOW, with confidence, that He will be there; …AND … He will not allow me to handle anything I cannot handle WITH HIM, … AND … He will give me His power, through His grace, when I need it in my weakness. I repeat, in the words of young people today, “Is that not cool, or what?! ”
So God’s omnipresence allows me to pursue His PURPOSE, with His PRESENCE, and in His POWER. It motivates me toward holiness, which, in my sin nature, I cannot attain without His Spirit. It’s like a magnet, drawing me toward God’s plan and away from selfish desires. And as I do seek Him, God is always there to watch over me. As I trust Him, He gives me His direction. And I’ll bet you know Proverbs 3: 5 – 6 [linked]. If not, check it out – and then memorize it!
My Prayer Today: How grateful I am, Lord, for your ever present Spirit to give me strength and direction. Amen
My Journal for Today: Yesterday we saw the tremendous encouraging impact of the truth involved in God’s omnipresence. Today’s verse, plus the promise of Hebrews 13: 5, which was quoted yesterday, and repeated below for emphasis, assures me – and any believer – that God will FOREVER be near the Christian who is willing to call on Him in Spirit and in truth.
SCRIPTURE: Heb. 13: 5 … God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." [quoted from Deut. 31: 6]
And perhaps it would be helpful here to reiterate the words of Christ, Himself, in His Great Commission [especially Matt. 28, verse 20] …
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28: 19-20 … “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Yes, this is an incredibly challenging command to every believer and to Christ’s Church; but again, note the tag line, underlined in bold above in verse 20, which assures all believers and the church that Christ’s (i.e., God’s) presence is rock solid as we venture forth as witnesses in His Name, especially witnessing in very challenging, if not dire, circumstances.
And so, as we walk the walk of faith, we can be assured, not only of God’s PRESENCE, but we can also be uplifted by the promise of God’s POWER. Yesterday, I made reference to 1st Cor. 10: 13, which is one of the verses from God’s truth which shores me up in times of trial or temptation. But other passages, which I’ve cast to memory, help me to know that in my weakness, as a believer, I now have God’s power and grace to be with me as I am His witness. I’ve referred to them or quoted these verses many times in my devotionals; but let’s read and meditate upon Acts 1: 8 and 2nd Cor. 12: 9 … both from the words of Jesus Himself …
SCRIPTURE: Acts 1: 8 … “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
SCRIPTURE: 2nd Cor. 12: 9 … But He [Jesus] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in [your] weakness." …
So, as you meditate on those words from our Lord, doesn’t it lift you up? When I call on my Lord “in truth” (see today’s verse – which refers to calling on Him with belief in His word), I can KNOW, with confidence, that He will be there; …AND … He will not allow me to handle anything I cannot handle WITH HIM, … AND … He will give me His power, through His grace, when I need it in my weakness. I repeat, in the words of young people today, “Is that not cool, or what?! ”
So God’s omnipresence allows me to pursue His PURPOSE, with His PRESENCE, and in His POWER. It motivates me toward holiness, which, in my sin nature, I cannot attain without His Spirit. It’s like a magnet, drawing me toward God’s plan and away from selfish desires. And as I do seek Him, God is always there to watch over me. As I trust Him, He gives me His direction. And I’ll bet you know Proverbs 3: 5 – 6 [linked]. If not, check it out – and then memorize it!
My Prayer Today: How grateful I am, Lord, for your ever present Spirit to give me strength and direction. Amen
Sunday, January 16, 2011
January 16, 2011 … Contentment: How To Enjoy It
Passage of the Day: Hebrews 13: 5. 6 – 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." [from Deut. 31: 6] 6So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" [restatement of Ps. 118: 6,7]
My Journal for Today: Contentment! We began to look at this illusive quality of life yesterday, indicating that true contentment is a measure of the maturity of one’s faith in God’s providence. With all that life presents, especially in times of trials/tribulations, it’s so easy to wonder if real contentment is possible.
But as we read yesterday in Phil. 4: 11 – 12, the Apostle, Paul, had found real contentment, even though he was writing from prison. In fact, the entire book of Philippians is a journal of true Christian contentment and joy. Read Phil. 3: 7 - 9; and see further just how deeply felt was Paul’s sense of faith in Christ …
>>> SCRIPTURE: Phil. 3: 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
Now that’s faith!
I have a standard response that I learned to the generic, “How are you?” greeting, which people throw out so flippantly in public. I learned my response from my former mentor, who used to reply to this question with, “Always better than I deserve?” Most people expect the generic reply, “Fine!” to that greeting; but often when I reply as indicated above, people actually have to think what I mean by that reply. Many times it offers a good opportunity to witness for my faith and to the biblical truths that we are now discussing about contentment.
Think about it. How much better off am I than what I deserve as a sinner? Infinitely so much so! Therefore, anytime someone says flippantly, “How are you?” I can respond affirmatively and accurately, “Always better than I deserve.” Try it sometime. You’ll find that it catches people short; and they may ask why you say that; or they may say, “Oh, surely not;” and when they do, the door is open to explain why you feel blessed by and content in your relationship with Christ.
I also contend that most Christians really don’t understand or truly believe the implications of a verse that many of them may even have memorized. The passage is another Pauline jewel … Romans 8: 28 …
>>> SCRIPTURE: Rom. 8: 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
You see, if we, as Christians, really believed this truth, then we would KNOW that God’s heart for our good was ALWAYS there in the midst of any or all trials/tribulations as well as what we generally call “blessings;” and we’d KNOW that God is working in those trials, ALL of them, for our well being and His design. But the truth is that most of us find it difficult to find joy and contentment, like Paul did, in the midst of our trials.
You know, … often I feel like Jacob when he prayed to God (Gen. 32: 9 – 10 – see especially the underlined portion below) …
>>> SCRIPTURE: Gen. 32: 9 Then Jacob prayed, "O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, 'Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,' 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant.
It’s like my greeting reply (above) … there’s so little, if anything, where I can really be seen as deserving of God’s providence … and believing Rom. 8: 28, even the tough stuff in my life is for my good and under God’s control. So, today I will CHOOSE to seek to be joyful and content in whatever comes my way.
Will you join me?
My Prayer Today: You are all I need, Lord! Amen
My Journal for Today: Contentment! We began to look at this illusive quality of life yesterday, indicating that true contentment is a measure of the maturity of one’s faith in God’s providence. With all that life presents, especially in times of trials/tribulations, it’s so easy to wonder if real contentment is possible.
But as we read yesterday in Phil. 4: 11 – 12, the Apostle, Paul, had found real contentment, even though he was writing from prison. In fact, the entire book of Philippians is a journal of true Christian contentment and joy. Read Phil. 3: 7 - 9; and see further just how deeply felt was Paul’s sense of faith in Christ …
>>> SCRIPTURE: Phil. 3: 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
Now that’s faith!
I have a standard response that I learned to the generic, “How are you?” greeting, which people throw out so flippantly in public. I learned my response from my former mentor, who used to reply to this question with, “Always better than I deserve?” Most people expect the generic reply, “Fine!” to that greeting; but often when I reply as indicated above, people actually have to think what I mean by that reply. Many times it offers a good opportunity to witness for my faith and to the biblical truths that we are now discussing about contentment.
Think about it. How much better off am I than what I deserve as a sinner? Infinitely so much so! Therefore, anytime someone says flippantly, “How are you?” I can respond affirmatively and accurately, “Always better than I deserve.” Try it sometime. You’ll find that it catches people short; and they may ask why you say that; or they may say, “Oh, surely not;” and when they do, the door is open to explain why you feel blessed by and content in your relationship with Christ.
I also contend that most Christians really don’t understand or truly believe the implications of a verse that many of them may even have memorized. The passage is another Pauline jewel … Romans 8: 28 …
>>> SCRIPTURE: Rom. 8: 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
You see, if we, as Christians, really believed this truth, then we would KNOW that God’s heart for our good was ALWAYS there in the midst of any or all trials/tribulations as well as what we generally call “blessings;” and we’d KNOW that God is working in those trials, ALL of them, for our well being and His design. But the truth is that most of us find it difficult to find joy and contentment, like Paul did, in the midst of our trials.
You know, … often I feel like Jacob when he prayed to God (Gen. 32: 9 – 10 – see especially the underlined portion below) …
>>> SCRIPTURE: Gen. 32: 9 Then Jacob prayed, "O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, 'Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,' 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant.
It’s like my greeting reply (above) … there’s so little, if anything, where I can really be seen as deserving of God’s providence … and believing Rom. 8: 28, even the tough stuff in my life is for my good and under God’s control. So, today I will CHOOSE to seek to be joyful and content in whatever comes my way.
Will you join me?
My Prayer Today: You are all I need, Lord! Amen
Thursday, December 30, 2010
2010 – December 30 – The Pure Who Endure
Study from God’s Word… Revelation, Chapters 14 – 19: 5 … Passage for Reflection: Revelation 4: 3 – 5 [underlined] … NIV 1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as first-fruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
My Journal for Today: All this apocalyptic imagery in God’s revelation to John can be mysterious and a bit overwhelming as we read and study this great Book of the Bible, The Revelation, especially trying to get its application for our lives today. But it’s important that we do our best, maybe with the help of teachers, like my devotional shepherd this year, Dr. LaGard Smith, to see how these writings, coming from God’s Spirit through John, having powerful messages we need to heed.
So, today we deal with that number of saints, 144,000, who were saved out of the great tribulation and are discussed in today’s highlight text. What do we glean from a study of their significance? Well, the answer is in why they are mentioned as special; and the explanation can be found in the portion of scripture today which is highlighted in bold and underlined.
My fellow readers, … these 144,000 who were those saved from the later heat of the lake of fire are protected by the Lamb of God because of their PURITY and their STEADFAST FAITH. These were the ones, in spite of the taunts and terrors of Satan and the Anti-Christ, remained sexually pure and followed Christ in the worst of the Great Tribulation, … right to the very end of time as man would know it.
And our application? Well, it’s brought out in today’s question by Dr. Smith, as he writes at the end of his daily devotional: ”In the battle to remain pure, am I overcoming or succumbing?” And that is the question so many in our world, as Christians, are dealing with right now, especially in a world where Satan has created many fortresses and weapons to prevent the lost from finding their way to Christ and for tearing down the testimonies of Christians and rendering their witness as ineffective or worthless.
Think about it. How many Christians, of whom you know, who have fallen prey to impurity, when they know that God calls for purity and devotion to His commands? Christian men are surrounded and enveloped by sexual temptations these days; and these worldly-fleshly superweapons, such as internet pornography, have been created as a tribulation of temptation to draw the attention of the lost onto the flesh and away from the Savior, as well as to draw the focus of Christians onto flesh and away from faith.
No Christian man in this world can be the man God intended for Him to be if he does the opposite of what Christ commanded (see Luke 9: 23), focusing on self and not following the Savior. And Christian men, in droves, are falling on the battlefields of sexual temptations and being rendered powerless as husbands, fathers, community leaders, and, most certainly churchmen.
No, it’s not the Great Tribulation yet; but we get a taste of what that horrible time will be like when we yield to selfish, flesh-driven, temptations and we choose to move away from Godly purity in our unfaithfulness. In these times in which we live, we, who follow Christ, need to become like the faithful 144,000 in those times of the Great Tribulation. We need to heed the call of Christ and deny self, take up our crosses daily, and follow Him … to the end.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, today and tomorrow, purity for Your glory is my focus. Amen
My Journal for Today: All this apocalyptic imagery in God’s revelation to John can be mysterious and a bit overwhelming as we read and study this great Book of the Bible, The Revelation, especially trying to get its application for our lives today. But it’s important that we do our best, maybe with the help of teachers, like my devotional shepherd this year, Dr. LaGard Smith, to see how these writings, coming from God’s Spirit through John, having powerful messages we need to heed.
So, today we deal with that number of saints, 144,000, who were saved out of the great tribulation and are discussed in today’s highlight text. What do we glean from a study of their significance? Well, the answer is in why they are mentioned as special; and the explanation can be found in the portion of scripture today which is highlighted in bold and underlined.
My fellow readers, … these 144,000 who were those saved from the later heat of the lake of fire are protected by the Lamb of God because of their PURITY and their STEADFAST FAITH. These were the ones, in spite of the taunts and terrors of Satan and the Anti-Christ, remained sexually pure and followed Christ in the worst of the Great Tribulation, … right to the very end of time as man would know it.
And our application? Well, it’s brought out in today’s question by Dr. Smith, as he writes at the end of his daily devotional: ”In the battle to remain pure, am I overcoming or succumbing?” And that is the question so many in our world, as Christians, are dealing with right now, especially in a world where Satan has created many fortresses and weapons to prevent the lost from finding their way to Christ and for tearing down the testimonies of Christians and rendering their witness as ineffective or worthless.
Think about it. How many Christians, of whom you know, who have fallen prey to impurity, when they know that God calls for purity and devotion to His commands? Christian men are surrounded and enveloped by sexual temptations these days; and these worldly-fleshly superweapons, such as internet pornography, have been created as a tribulation of temptation to draw the attention of the lost onto the flesh and away from the Savior, as well as to draw the focus of Christians onto flesh and away from faith.
No Christian man in this world can be the man God intended for Him to be if he does the opposite of what Christ commanded (see Luke 9: 23), focusing on self and not following the Savior. And Christian men, in droves, are falling on the battlefields of sexual temptations and being rendered powerless as husbands, fathers, community leaders, and, most certainly churchmen.
No, it’s not the Great Tribulation yet; but we get a taste of what that horrible time will be like when we yield to selfish, flesh-driven, temptations and we choose to move away from Godly purity in our unfaithfulness. In these times in which we live, we, who follow Christ, need to become like the faithful 144,000 in those times of the Great Tribulation. We need to heed the call of Christ and deny self, take up our crosses daily, and follow Him … to the end.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, today and tomorrow, purity for Your glory is my focus. Amen
Saturday, November 13, 2010
2010 – November 13 – Faithless Faith
Study from God’s Word… Accounts from the Gospels about the “last supper” and Jesus’ preparing to become the Lamb of God from Matt 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22 as well as John 12 … Passage for Reflection: John 12: 42 – 43 … NIV 42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God.
My Journal for Today: As sometimes we say when incongruities are apparent in someone’s story or the report of a set of circumstances, like the one in today’s devotional text, “What’s wrong with this picture?”
Supposedly we have Jewish leaders in these latter days of Jesus’ life on earth who “believe” in Jesus. Yet, they are unwilling – or unable – to stand in the gap for that faith by confessing their beliefs to the Pharisees, who were the so-called guardians of the Temple, because of fears that they’d be excluded from worshipping in the Temple, which would have shunned them from inclusion in the community of Jewish faith there in Jerusalem. So, as my title implies for my devotional entry today, these men had somewhat of a “faithless faith.” Today, we Christians might have called them “nominal christians,” because the depth of their faith was only intellectual and not a deep/abiding/living faith in Christ.
And that brings up our application challenge from Dr. Smith from reading and meditating on the text for today. Dr. Smith asks, ”In what ways have I denounced my faith by refusing to openly acknowledge what I truly believe?” I would expect that the answer to this question catches many of us coming up short in the depth of our faith over the years of our walk as Christians. It certainly has me.
There are any number of times in my walk of faith where I’ve been “chicken” and unwilling to stand openly for Jesus in the public arena of life. Quite a number of times, I’ve heard people mock Christ or Christianity; and I kept my mouth shut. There have been times in my past when I heard people spelling out their beliefs FOR abortion; and I didn’t stand up for life the way I should have done as a Christian. And maybe you have had times when you were a representative of “faithless faith,” not standing forth as you should have.
Well, fortunately we have a forgiving Lord and Savior, Who in the verses following today’s text declares (see John 12: 47), 47 “If anyone hears My words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” No, when Jesus walked the earth as the God-Man, He was not there as a JUDGE. He was there as the Lamb of God, to give His life so that those of us who have REAL faith in Him will live eternally. It is one day, when He will come again to be the Judge of mankind; and then all will have to stand in the gap for our faith in Him. And it will only be those who have true faith who will be worthy of His saving grace.
But once that saving faith has been expressed – truly from the heart; and we become Christian, receiving the saving grace offered by the blood of Christ, it will never be satisfactory to stand quietly and refuse to witness our faith. No, … the Holy Spirit, residing in me now as a Christian, rumbles His conviction when I am quiet, knowing I should speak or stand for my faith. And I don’t think – and I certainly pray - that I would now be unwilling to stand in the gap for Jesus in circumstances which called for my witness. I hope and pray that anyone reading here would step forward with me when and if the time presented itself to be a witness for our faith, never again living in a “faithless faith.”
My Prayer for Today: Lord, give us the faith of our faith to be witnesses for our faith. Amen
My Journal for Today: As sometimes we say when incongruities are apparent in someone’s story or the report of a set of circumstances, like the one in today’s devotional text, “What’s wrong with this picture?”
Supposedly we have Jewish leaders in these latter days of Jesus’ life on earth who “believe” in Jesus. Yet, they are unwilling – or unable – to stand in the gap for that faith by confessing their beliefs to the Pharisees, who were the so-called guardians of the Temple, because of fears that they’d be excluded from worshipping in the Temple, which would have shunned them from inclusion in the community of Jewish faith there in Jerusalem. So, as my title implies for my devotional entry today, these men had somewhat of a “faithless faith.” Today, we Christians might have called them “nominal christians,” because the depth of their faith was only intellectual and not a deep/abiding/living faith in Christ.
And that brings up our application challenge from Dr. Smith from reading and meditating on the text for today. Dr. Smith asks, ”In what ways have I denounced my faith by refusing to openly acknowledge what I truly believe?” I would expect that the answer to this question catches many of us coming up short in the depth of our faith over the years of our walk as Christians. It certainly has me.
There are any number of times in my walk of faith where I’ve been “chicken” and unwilling to stand openly for Jesus in the public arena of life. Quite a number of times, I’ve heard people mock Christ or Christianity; and I kept my mouth shut. There have been times in my past when I heard people spelling out their beliefs FOR abortion; and I didn’t stand up for life the way I should have done as a Christian. And maybe you have had times when you were a representative of “faithless faith,” not standing forth as you should have.
Well, fortunately we have a forgiving Lord and Savior, Who in the verses following today’s text declares (see John 12: 47), 47 “If anyone hears My words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” No, when Jesus walked the earth as the God-Man, He was not there as a JUDGE. He was there as the Lamb of God, to give His life so that those of us who have REAL faith in Him will live eternally. It is one day, when He will come again to be the Judge of mankind; and then all will have to stand in the gap for our faith in Him. And it will only be those who have true faith who will be worthy of His saving grace.
But once that saving faith has been expressed – truly from the heart; and we become Christian, receiving the saving grace offered by the blood of Christ, it will never be satisfactory to stand quietly and refuse to witness our faith. No, … the Holy Spirit, residing in me now as a Christian, rumbles His conviction when I am quiet, knowing I should speak or stand for my faith. And I don’t think – and I certainly pray - that I would now be unwilling to stand in the gap for Jesus in circumstances which called for my witness. I hope and pray that anyone reading here would step forward with me when and if the time presented itself to be a witness for our faith, never again living in a “faithless faith.”
My Prayer for Today: Lord, give us the faith of our faith to be witnesses for our faith. Amen
Friday, October 15, 2010
2010 – October 15 – A Four-Hundred-Year Silence
Study from God’s Word… [Readings and study from overviews of The Apocrypha] … Passage for Reflection: 2 Peter 3: 4 … NIV 4They [scoffers who appear in the “last days”] will say, "Where is this 'coming' He promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
My Journal for Today: Today, my devotional leader/author, F. LaGard Smith, jumps forward, in his devotional, launching into the New Testament in The Daily Bible in Chronological Order by quoting from Peter’s second Epistle, where the Apostle was reminding Christians to be faithful and avoid complacency or waning to worldliness; and, in spite, of the affliction and confusion they were facing under the oppression of the Romans, Peter exhorted believers to be faithful and wait for the second coming of our Messiah, who had shown Himself as God by dying on the cross, being resurrected from the dead, and ascending into Heaven to become our intercessor until He comes again. [see 2nd Peter 3: 1 – 10 - linked here]
But in his readings for this date, Dr. Smith highlights the historical period of the transition between Old and New Testaments, … that period of about 400 years where there was relative silence and waiting for the Jewish Messiah to appear. And reading from other non-conical historical records or delving into the Apocryphal writings, we read that the Jews became very confused and somewhat cynical, very likely asking the question of why to hold faithful to God’s Law and expectation of a Messiah after four centuries of God’s relative silence.
And that type of “WHEN” question certainly could be raised by New Covenant Christians, … could it not? And we have a relative “silence” of two millennia to voice our question. We Christians await the Lord’s second coming; but the more orthodox and faithful Jews are still waiting for His first arrival. Wow! … That certainly does take faith, doesn’t it? But God, in His own timing, apparently desires that His people, the Jews, and we Gentiles grafted into His family, wait for Him patiently and faithfully; because He desires that many more come to Him in faith [see 2nd Peter 3: 9 from linked passage above].
FAITH is the operant concept here. God has always, as evidenced by the Old Testament I’ve been reading and studying this past year, desired for mankind to honor His Covenant with His people. And faith is evidenced by mankind, being ever faithful in waiting on Him to show His love for His children, especially in His coming among us as the Lamb of God. And now that we transition from the Old Covenant to the New, we, who are privy to the unfolding of history (“HIS story”) in the New Testament, are even called to a more patient waiting period than these 400 years where the covenant of Abraham and the prophesies of God’s called prophets were unfolding for God’s people to await the coming of their Messiah.
But now we Christians know – by history and evidence – that the Messiah was God’s Son, Jesus; and our New Testament is the “Gospel” record of His coming, His life, His death on a cross, His resurrection, and His ascension, having chosen Apostles and disciples to carry on His gospel message to the world as well as His charge to go forth in witness to His Name and His gospel truth (see Acts 1: 8 and Matt. 28: 19-20).
So, in the next months, until the end of this year, I will continue to expectantly read His New Covenant and to pray to grow in my faith to be patient and let God’s timing and His will dictate our Lord’s second coming.
When will it occur? >>> I don’t know. Will it occur? … ABSOLUTELY !!!
My Prayer for Today: Lord, please come soon. We need the fulfillment of Your promises. Help me to be faithful as I wait on You. Amen
My Journal for Today: Today, my devotional leader/author, F. LaGard Smith, jumps forward, in his devotional, launching into the New Testament in The Daily Bible in Chronological Order by quoting from Peter’s second Epistle, where the Apostle was reminding Christians to be faithful and avoid complacency or waning to worldliness; and, in spite, of the affliction and confusion they were facing under the oppression of the Romans, Peter exhorted believers to be faithful and wait for the second coming of our Messiah, who had shown Himself as God by dying on the cross, being resurrected from the dead, and ascending into Heaven to become our intercessor until He comes again. [see 2nd Peter 3: 1 – 10 - linked here]
But in his readings for this date, Dr. Smith highlights the historical period of the transition between Old and New Testaments, … that period of about 400 years where there was relative silence and waiting for the Jewish Messiah to appear. And reading from other non-conical historical records or delving into the Apocryphal writings, we read that the Jews became very confused and somewhat cynical, very likely asking the question of why to hold faithful to God’s Law and expectation of a Messiah after four centuries of God’s relative silence.
And that type of “WHEN” question certainly could be raised by New Covenant Christians, … could it not? And we have a relative “silence” of two millennia to voice our question. We Christians await the Lord’s second coming; but the more orthodox and faithful Jews are still waiting for His first arrival. Wow! … That certainly does take faith, doesn’t it? But God, in His own timing, apparently desires that His people, the Jews, and we Gentiles grafted into His family, wait for Him patiently and faithfully; because He desires that many more come to Him in faith [see 2nd Peter 3: 9 from linked passage above].
FAITH is the operant concept here. God has always, as evidenced by the Old Testament I’ve been reading and studying this past year, desired for mankind to honor His Covenant with His people. And faith is evidenced by mankind, being ever faithful in waiting on Him to show His love for His children, especially in His coming among us as the Lamb of God. And now that we transition from the Old Covenant to the New, we, who are privy to the unfolding of history (“HIS story”) in the New Testament, are even called to a more patient waiting period than these 400 years where the covenant of Abraham and the prophesies of God’s called prophets were unfolding for God’s people to await the coming of their Messiah.
But now we Christians know – by history and evidence – that the Messiah was God’s Son, Jesus; and our New Testament is the “Gospel” record of His coming, His life, His death on a cross, His resurrection, and His ascension, having chosen Apostles and disciples to carry on His gospel message to the world as well as His charge to go forth in witness to His Name and His gospel truth (see Acts 1: 8 and Matt. 28: 19-20).
So, in the next months, until the end of this year, I will continue to expectantly read His New Covenant and to pray to grow in my faith to be patient and let God’s timing and His will dictate our Lord’s second coming.
When will it occur? >>> I don’t know. Will it occur? … ABSOLUTELY !!!
My Prayer for Today: Lord, please come soon. We need the fulfillment of Your promises. Help me to be faithful as I wait on You. Amen
Friday, October 01, 2010
2010 – October 1 – Sowing Tears of Joy
October, 2010
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Blogger Bill's Note: This morning's message and devotional seemed very pointed to me in timing and personal pertinence. I hope it means something to you as well.
Study from God’s Word… Psalms 126, 128, 132, 147, and 149 … Passage for Reflection: Psalm 126: 5 – 6 … NIV Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
My Journal for Today: You’ve heard it before, … “No pain, … no gain!” And to some extent it’s true. Those who’ve experienced a lot of pain in life and have recovered to become a better person know the truth in this old saying. It is a truism; but, as Dr. Smith points out in his devotional for today, some people never come out of the pain and realize the gain. And then there is the matter of what it seems like when one is in the midst of the pain. Don’t you agree that it’s hard to see the truth of Romans 8: 28 when one is going through the pain of chemotherapy and lives under the cloud of a terminal diagnosis.
It’s easy to see the gain which comes from pain in retrospect; but in the midst of the pain, it sometimes becomes hard to see the rainbow and find the sun in the midst of the storm. But for those Jews, who had gone through the seventy years of exile and the captivity of Babylon and other nations, faithfully hoping in the prophesies of men like Zechariah, and then moving back to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, the sunrise of God’s promises must’ve been the gain on the other side of pain. It must’ve been soothing for these faithful children of the Old Covenant to hear the songs I read this morning, called “psalms of ascent.” Many of these loyal, faithful Jews had certainly experienced the pain; … now, the remnant was about to experience some of the gain. And ultimately those who believed in the promise of the Messiah would realize an eternal gain on the other side of their pain.
This morning is the last full day of our family vacation; and we’ve been experiencing rain, rain, rain. Oh, we’ve had cloudy respites where we could play in the surf of Myrtle Beach, SC; but mostly it has been a cloudy, rainy time here. But this morning when I woke up to come here and be with God for my “quiet time,” I looked out off the balcony of our 10th floor condo and noted that the sun was rising to what would be a blue sky [see foto below]. And then, as God’s timing would have it, I was brought to the words and truth of today’s highlight text; and I realized that God was saying to me, … “Bill, there will always be a sunrise, even when you have trouble seeing it; and if you stay faithful with Me long enough, My sunrises will one day bring you a Light which makes up for all the storms of life.”
And all I could say, looking at the sun rising so beautifully over the surf, was “… Lord, thank You for Your gain which always follows the pain.”
My Prayer for Today: Hallelujah; and praise You, Lord. Amen
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Blogger Bill's Note: This morning's message and devotional seemed very pointed to me in timing and personal pertinence. I hope it means something to you as well.
Study from God’s Word… Psalms 126, 128, 132, 147, and 149 … Passage for Reflection: Psalm 126: 5 – 6 … NIV Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
My Journal for Today: You’ve heard it before, … “No pain, … no gain!” And to some extent it’s true. Those who’ve experienced a lot of pain in life and have recovered to become a better person know the truth in this old saying. It is a truism; but, as Dr. Smith points out in his devotional for today, some people never come out of the pain and realize the gain. And then there is the matter of what it seems like when one is in the midst of the pain. Don’t you agree that it’s hard to see the truth of Romans 8: 28 when one is going through the pain of chemotherapy and lives under the cloud of a terminal diagnosis.
It’s easy to see the gain which comes from pain in retrospect; but in the midst of the pain, it sometimes becomes hard to see the rainbow and find the sun in the midst of the storm. But for those Jews, who had gone through the seventy years of exile and the captivity of Babylon and other nations, faithfully hoping in the prophesies of men like Zechariah, and then moving back to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, the sunrise of God’s promises must’ve been the gain on the other side of pain. It must’ve been soothing for these faithful children of the Old Covenant to hear the songs I read this morning, called “psalms of ascent.” Many of these loyal, faithful Jews had certainly experienced the pain; … now, the remnant was about to experience some of the gain. And ultimately those who believed in the promise of the Messiah would realize an eternal gain on the other side of their pain.
This morning is the last full day of our family vacation; and we’ve been experiencing rain, rain, rain. Oh, we’ve had cloudy respites where we could play in the surf of Myrtle Beach, SC; but mostly it has been a cloudy, rainy time here. But this morning when I woke up to come here and be with God for my “quiet time,” I looked out off the balcony of our 10th floor condo and noted that the sun was rising to what would be a blue sky [see foto below]. And then, as God’s timing would have it, I was brought to the words and truth of today’s highlight text; and I realized that God was saying to me, … “Bill, there will always be a sunrise, even when you have trouble seeing it; and if you stay faithful with Me long enough, My sunrises will one day bring you a Light which makes up for all the storms of life.”
And all I could say, looking at the sun rising so beautifully over the surf, was “… Lord, thank You for Your gain which always follows the pain.”
My Prayer for Today: Hallelujah; and praise You, Lord. Amen
Saturday, September 25, 2010
2010 – September 25 – Under God’s Protective Eye
Study from God’s Word… Ezra, Chapters 4 – 6 … Passage for Reflection: Ezra 5: 5 … NIV But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received.
My Journal for Today: Today LaGard Smith, the author of my daily devotional book, The Daily Bible Devotional, directed me to a U.S. dollar note [go get one to see his illustration]; and Dr. Smith noted on the green side of this greenback there is a depiction of a pyramid with an “all seeing eye” with the words “annuit coeptis,” which in Latin means “He is favorable to our undertaking.” The eye on the bill is referred to as God’s “eye of providence;” and the ACLU must hate this depiction which honors God and recognizes that it is God Who watches over our land with His providence becomes the direction of our nation.
In today’s devotional text we read the author of the book of Ezra making a comment, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that it was God’s eye Who was watching over the elders of the Jews in those days; and in today’s precarious and troubled times, that is a position we certainly would like to take in faith. Hence the depiction on the one-dollar bill becomes something we should probably put in our Bibles as a bookmark, reminding us to have faith in the ever watchful and ever faithful “eye of God,” Who is always there to watch over His remnant; and Who will, as He did in those times of Temple rebuilding, watch over His children and do whatever He must and will to bring about His good purposes.
Hence, as the motto of our nation appears – to the right of the “eye of providence” – saying, “IN GOD WE TRUST,” … we need to have absolute faith that God not only sees what is going on during these troubling times, but He is working, just as He did in the times of Ezra, to bring about His good and perfect will. Hence we should believe in and live by the instructions of such passages in God’s word as Deut. 31: 6, Prov. 3: 5 – 6, and Romans 8: 28. And I hope you know and recognize what is being said in these passages by God for the rebuilding of our walls of faith.
And another reason to have a dollar bill in our Bibles as a bookmark was also brought out by Dr. Smith today in his devotional entry. We so often want to put our faith in the dollar bill (or stacks of them) rather than in our mighty God Whose eye of providence watches over us. So Dr. Smith puts his daily dig of a question out there for our consideration, as he writes, ”If I am facing some difficult challenge in my life, how can I not be wonderfully encouraged by knowing that my God is watching over me?”
Take out a dollar bill and meditate on that in conjunction with the Scripture passages I referred you to above; and I know you will – as I am – lifted up by their collective truths.
My Prayer for Today: O Lord, may I always know you watch over me. Amen
My Journal for Today: Today LaGard Smith, the author of my daily devotional book, The Daily Bible Devotional, directed me to a U.S. dollar note [go get one to see his illustration]; and Dr. Smith noted on the green side of this greenback there is a depiction of a pyramid with an “all seeing eye” with the words “annuit coeptis,” which in Latin means “He is favorable to our undertaking.” The eye on the bill is referred to as God’s “eye of providence;” and the ACLU must hate this depiction which honors God and recognizes that it is God Who watches over our land with His providence becomes the direction of our nation.
In today’s devotional text we read the author of the book of Ezra making a comment, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that it was God’s eye Who was watching over the elders of the Jews in those days; and in today’s precarious and troubled times, that is a position we certainly would like to take in faith. Hence the depiction on the one-dollar bill becomes something we should probably put in our Bibles as a bookmark, reminding us to have faith in the ever watchful and ever faithful “eye of God,” Who is always there to watch over His remnant; and Who will, as He did in those times of Temple rebuilding, watch over His children and do whatever He must and will to bring about His good purposes.
Hence, as the motto of our nation appears – to the right of the “eye of providence” – saying, “IN GOD WE TRUST,” … we need to have absolute faith that God not only sees what is going on during these troubling times, but He is working, just as He did in the times of Ezra, to bring about His good and perfect will. Hence we should believe in and live by the instructions of such passages in God’s word as Deut. 31: 6, Prov. 3: 5 – 6, and Romans 8: 28. And I hope you know and recognize what is being said in these passages by God for the rebuilding of our walls of faith.
And another reason to have a dollar bill in our Bibles as a bookmark was also brought out by Dr. Smith today in his devotional entry. We so often want to put our faith in the dollar bill (or stacks of them) rather than in our mighty God Whose eye of providence watches over us. So Dr. Smith puts his daily dig of a question out there for our consideration, as he writes, ”If I am facing some difficult challenge in my life, how can I not be wonderfully encouraged by knowing that my God is watching over me?”
Take out a dollar bill and meditate on that in conjunction with the Scripture passages I referred you to above; and I know you will – as I am – lifted up by their collective truths.
My Prayer for Today: O Lord, may I always know you watch over me. Amen
Monday, September 13, 2010
2010 – September 13 – Vanishing in the Mist
Study from God’s Word… Job, Chapters 18 – 21 … Passage for Reflection: Job 20: 6 – 9 … NIV 6 Though his [i.e., mankind’s] pride reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds, 7 he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?' 8 Like a dream he flies away, no more to be found, banished like a vision of the night. 9 The eye that saw him will not see him again; his place will look on him no more.
My Journal for Today: In one of the speeches from one of Job’s misguided friends, in this case Zophar (in today’s text), we read one of those true assumptions from which these “friends” build their misconceptions for Job. Zophar, the Naamathite, declares that man is here and gone like a dream in the night; and that, of course, is true. But mankind always has more of an impact on those in his/her life than one might think.
That’s the whole theme of that great Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart movie most of us have seen many times, It’s a Wonderful Life, where Stewart’s character, George Bailey, thinking he’s a nobody. And through his guardian angel, Clarence, George is shown what the world would have been like if he’d never been there. And we see that though, in God’s timetable, we’re here on this earth for only the snap of God’s fingers, for a wisp of time, our lives do touch others and influence people like our kids and grandkids.
Zophar was right that we’re here and gone, almost without notice; but as Job later points out in response, our lives are important to others; and they are important to God. I love that confident response, in the midst of the horrors Job had experienced, he declares to Bildad, in Job 19, before God of course as well, "I know that my Redeemer lives … and after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God … with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
Isn’t that glorious? Here is a man, who is, according to Zophar, but a passing dream, and a man who seems to be under the judgment of God with all his physical decay and emotional loss, declaring – IN FAITH – that he yearns to see and be with HIS GOD, … Who of course is also the same God of Bildad and Zophar and Eliphaz. My friends, it truly is a wonderful life, … even if we experience disasters; because if we live our lives for God and not for self, we will have an influence that is far greater than we can imagine.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, it truly is a WONDERFUL LIFE! Amen
My Journal for Today: In one of the speeches from one of Job’s misguided friends, in this case Zophar (in today’s text), we read one of those true assumptions from which these “friends” build their misconceptions for Job. Zophar, the Naamathite, declares that man is here and gone like a dream in the night; and that, of course, is true. But mankind always has more of an impact on those in his/her life than one might think.
That’s the whole theme of that great Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart movie most of us have seen many times, It’s a Wonderful Life, where Stewart’s character, George Bailey, thinking he’s a nobody. And through his guardian angel, Clarence, George is shown what the world would have been like if he’d never been there. And we see that though, in God’s timetable, we’re here on this earth for only the snap of God’s fingers, for a wisp of time, our lives do touch others and influence people like our kids and grandkids.
Zophar was right that we’re here and gone, almost without notice; but as Job later points out in response, our lives are important to others; and they are important to God. I love that confident response, in the midst of the horrors Job had experienced, he declares to Bildad, in Job 19, before God of course as well, "I know that my Redeemer lives … and after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God … with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
Isn’t that glorious? Here is a man, who is, according to Zophar, but a passing dream, and a man who seems to be under the judgment of God with all his physical decay and emotional loss, declaring – IN FAITH – that he yearns to see and be with HIS GOD, … Who of course is also the same God of Bildad and Zophar and Eliphaz. My friends, it truly is a wonderful life, … even if we experience disasters; because if we live our lives for God and not for self, we will have an influence that is far greater than we can imagine.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, it truly is a WONDERFUL LIFE! Amen
Friday, September 10, 2010
2010 – September 10 – Spitting Into the Wind
Study from God’s Word… Job, Chapters 8 – 10 … Passage for Reflection: Job 9: 14 – 15 … NIV 14 "How then can I dispute with him? How can I find words to argue with him? 15 Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.
My Journal for Today: The title for today’s devotional from Dr. LaGard Smith comes from the old 60s song by Jim Croce; and it gives a pretty clear reference to the way Job must’ve felt as he described his dilemma to his second “friend,” Bildad, the Shuhite. And also in Job’s reply to Bildad, he begins his plea to God, feeling very low, which we could certainly understand, given his horrible physical and emotional state. Remember Croce’s song, “You don’t tug on Superman’s cape, and you don’t spit into the wind.”
I like Dr. Smith’s word picture as he compares Job’s feelings of smallness to the image of what we might feel like if we were the size an ant and we’re in the hands of someone the size of a human. Being the size of an ant in the hands of a human, we’d likely feel totally at the mercy of this giant creature; and we would feel it impossible to plead our case for mercy from the human to refrain from squashing us like the “bug” we know we are.
Have you ever felt about as big as an ant and being in the hands of a God Who seems so big and uncaring? Perhaps you’ve seen an ant on your kitchen floor and squashed him like the bug he is, having invaded your space. And maybe, given your set of circumstances, you image that God may see you like that ant, way too big to hear you; and maybe you feel like you don’t deserve to be in His presence.
As one reads and meditates through Job’s retort to Bildad, as I did this morning, you get the idea that Job felt way too small to plead his case before the God Whom Job dearly loved and the One he had followed so faithfully in his life to that point. But here he is, broken completely, knowing that God is God and could have prevented this from happening; and knowing that he really doesn’t deserve – at least in his estimation – to be where he is.
Ever been there; – or at least emotionally felt that way? Sometimes, because of our circumstances, we feel that God is distant; and because of God’s promises to always be with us, we can’t understand His seeming absence or distance. Well, my friend, those are times when our beliefs are tested, probably beyond the limits of human understanding; and our faith is bent almost to the breaking point (or maybe past that point). These are the times when – if we’re believers in Christ’s sacrifice as the God-man and we believe that God’s word is ALL COMPLETELY TRUE – our understanding and belief in passages like Romans 8 or Ephesians 1 is tested to the human limits of understanding. Do we really believe what the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 116: 1 – 2 [linked]? Does God really [and ALWAYS] want to hear what we have to say? Again I take you back to Romans 8 or Ephesians 1 [each linked for your study]; … does God really care about us that much?
Well, if we believe that 2nd Tim. 3: 16 is true and we hold to the truth that ALL SCRIPTURE is the inspired word of God Himself, then we must conclude that God, though He may SEEM far away, is lovingly always within earshot; and His word must be true that He wants to hear our laments, our pleas, our confusion, and yes, even our anger.
So, if you’re feeling like you’re that ant who’s crawling in the hands of a WAY BIG GOD, cry out to Him. He will not only hear you, He will lovingly listen; and if you’re one of His, He’ll keep you in His loving arms forever. So go ahead, tug on His cape; … and yeah, even spit into the wind.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, You are way too big for me to comprehend You. But I feel Your love; and I’m thankful for Your loving presence. Amen
My Journal for Today: The title for today’s devotional from Dr. LaGard Smith comes from the old 60s song by Jim Croce; and it gives a pretty clear reference to the way Job must’ve felt as he described his dilemma to his second “friend,” Bildad, the Shuhite. And also in Job’s reply to Bildad, he begins his plea to God, feeling very low, which we could certainly understand, given his horrible physical and emotional state. Remember Croce’s song, “You don’t tug on Superman’s cape, and you don’t spit into the wind.”
I like Dr. Smith’s word picture as he compares Job’s feelings of smallness to the image of what we might feel like if we were the size an ant and we’re in the hands of someone the size of a human. Being the size of an ant in the hands of a human, we’d likely feel totally at the mercy of this giant creature; and we would feel it impossible to plead our case for mercy from the human to refrain from squashing us like the “bug” we know we are.
Have you ever felt about as big as an ant and being in the hands of a God Who seems so big and uncaring? Perhaps you’ve seen an ant on your kitchen floor and squashed him like the bug he is, having invaded your space. And maybe, given your set of circumstances, you image that God may see you like that ant, way too big to hear you; and maybe you feel like you don’t deserve to be in His presence.
As one reads and meditates through Job’s retort to Bildad, as I did this morning, you get the idea that Job felt way too small to plead his case before the God Whom Job dearly loved and the One he had followed so faithfully in his life to that point. But here he is, broken completely, knowing that God is God and could have prevented this from happening; and knowing that he really doesn’t deserve – at least in his estimation – to be where he is.
Ever been there; – or at least emotionally felt that way? Sometimes, because of our circumstances, we feel that God is distant; and because of God’s promises to always be with us, we can’t understand His seeming absence or distance. Well, my friend, those are times when our beliefs are tested, probably beyond the limits of human understanding; and our faith is bent almost to the breaking point (or maybe past that point). These are the times when – if we’re believers in Christ’s sacrifice as the God-man and we believe that God’s word is ALL COMPLETELY TRUE – our understanding and belief in passages like Romans 8 or Ephesians 1 is tested to the human limits of understanding. Do we really believe what the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 116: 1 – 2 [linked]? Does God really [and ALWAYS] want to hear what we have to say? Again I take you back to Romans 8 or Ephesians 1 [each linked for your study]; … does God really care about us that much?
Well, if we believe that 2nd Tim. 3: 16 is true and we hold to the truth that ALL SCRIPTURE is the inspired word of God Himself, then we must conclude that God, though He may SEEM far away, is lovingly always within earshot; and His word must be true that He wants to hear our laments, our pleas, our confusion, and yes, even our anger.
So, if you’re feeling like you’re that ant who’s crawling in the hands of a WAY BIG GOD, cry out to Him. He will not only hear you, He will lovingly listen; and if you’re one of His, He’ll keep you in His loving arms forever. So go ahead, tug on His cape; … and yeah, even spit into the wind.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, You are way too big for me to comprehend You. But I feel Your love; and I’m thankful for Your loving presence. Amen
Sunday, August 22, 2010
2010 – August 22 – I Live in Hope !!
Study from God’s Word… Jer. 21: 1-14; Jer. 22: 1-9; Jer. 34: 1-7; Jer. 32: 1-44; Jer. 33: 1-11 … Passage for Reflection: Jeremiah 32: 25 … NIV [Jeremiah’s lament and declaration to God concerning God allowing Babylon to lay siege to Jerusalem and Judah] 24 "See how the siege ramps are built up to take the city [i.e., Jerusalem]. Because of the sword, famine and plague, the city will be handed over to the Babylonians who are attacking it. What You said has happened, as You now see. 25 And though the city will be handed over to the Babylonians, you, O Sovereign LORD, say to me, 'Buy the field with silver and have the transaction witnessed.' "
My Journal for Today: Dr. Smith today reminds me of expressions of exasperation like the one in our highlight passage for today. We know these expressions, such as “when pigs fly,” or “when hell freezes over,” or “no way, man!” All are proclamations of hopelessness; and in our past – or maybe even right now – we’ve had times or circumstances when we might have cried out in desperation and hopelessness.
There was a time in my life, when I had lived over 25 years thinking that I could not be rid of my weaknesses in the area of sexual sin. I felt that I was too far gone. The enemy (Satan, whom I didn’t even recognize in my lost condition) had laid siege to my very being; and I couldn’t see a way out or up. But God is a God of wonderful second chances; and He just loves to visit reformation, restoration, and renewal on those who turn to Him in faith. And that’s where Jeremiah was asked to be at the time we read of Him recognizing that God’s city was about to be taken by the Babylonians. And that’s what God showed me on April 13, 1983; when in faith I came to The Lord in surrender. Now, I live a life KNOWING that His grace can not only save me, it can give me the power to walk in the joy of renewal.
But God gave Jeremiah that same, … the hope that any believer in The Messiah, Who has now come to demonstrate His power over the lost causes of this world, can have. Yes, Satan can still lay siege to our world; but only to the degree that it’s part of God’s plan, which has already included His incarnation and His Son being sacrificed, resurrected, and rethroned in atonement for our sin.
Dr. Smith asks today, ”Have I too quickly given up all hope over some ‘impossible’ situation that God may (or likely could) turn completely around?” You deal with that question today. I already have; and I’ve seen His power, with my surrender to His Spirit, to “restore the years that the locusts have eaten (see Joel 2: 25).”
My Prayer for Today: Lord, thank You for showing me your wondrous desire to bring the wasted field into bloom once again. Amen
My Journal for Today: Dr. Smith today reminds me of expressions of exasperation like the one in our highlight passage for today. We know these expressions, such as “when pigs fly,” or “when hell freezes over,” or “no way, man!” All are proclamations of hopelessness; and in our past – or maybe even right now – we’ve had times or circumstances when we might have cried out in desperation and hopelessness.
There was a time in my life, when I had lived over 25 years thinking that I could not be rid of my weaknesses in the area of sexual sin. I felt that I was too far gone. The enemy (Satan, whom I didn’t even recognize in my lost condition) had laid siege to my very being; and I couldn’t see a way out or up. But God is a God of wonderful second chances; and He just loves to visit reformation, restoration, and renewal on those who turn to Him in faith. And that’s where Jeremiah was asked to be at the time we read of Him recognizing that God’s city was about to be taken by the Babylonians. And that’s what God showed me on April 13, 1983; when in faith I came to The Lord in surrender. Now, I live a life KNOWING that His grace can not only save me, it can give me the power to walk in the joy of renewal.
But God gave Jeremiah that same, … the hope that any believer in The Messiah, Who has now come to demonstrate His power over the lost causes of this world, can have. Yes, Satan can still lay siege to our world; but only to the degree that it’s part of God’s plan, which has already included His incarnation and His Son being sacrificed, resurrected, and rethroned in atonement for our sin.
Dr. Smith asks today, ”Have I too quickly given up all hope over some ‘impossible’ situation that God may (or likely could) turn completely around?” You deal with that question today. I already have; and I’ve seen His power, with my surrender to His Spirit, to “restore the years that the locusts have eaten (see Joel 2: 25).”
My Prayer for Today: Lord, thank You for showing me your wondrous desire to bring the wasted field into bloom once again. Amen
2010 – August 21 – Mark This Day
Blogger's Note: This entry is dated 8/22; but was actually generated for 8/21, ... not being entered on the correct date because of lack of access to Wifi while I was on an Elder's retreat. Hence it's being posted on this date (8/22). For any readers who follow daily, please forgive my tardiness. ;>)
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Study from God’s Word… 2nd Kings 24: 20 [2Chron 36: 1; Jer. 52: 3]; 2Kgs 25: 1 [Jer. 39: 1 and 52: 4]; Ezekiel, Chapter 24 … Passage for Reflection: Ezekiel 24: 1 – 2 … NIV 1 In the ninth year, in the tenth month on the tenth day, the word of the LORD came to me: 2 "Son of man, record this date, this very date, because the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.
My Journal for Today: As Dr. Smith points to days which will live, as FDR said, “… in infamy.” There was that day to which FDR was referring, Dec. 7, 1941, … the day Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. And there was certainly the more modern cataclysmic date of Sept. 11, 2001, which we now just refer to as “9/11.” They will never be forgotten because they were days when the world was alerted of the warlike intent of an enemy, causing our nation to go to war. And in today’s highlight passage we read of a date which was marked in the history of God’s chosen people, a day when Nebuchanezzar laid siege to Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple, a day which a number of God’s Prophets had predicted would happen.
And I’m drawn to the question which LaGard Smith uses as a wake-up call at the end of his Aug. 21st devotional entry with Ezek. 24: 1-2 in mind. He writes, ”Could this seemingly ordinary day actually be a day on which, behind the scenes, God is doing something extraordinary in my life?” We could reframe the question saying, “Is this a 9/11 date, where we should recognize the damage that the siege of sin has done in our lives, and where we should declare commitment to God that we’re going to surrender our allegiance to Him but take up warfare against our spiritual enemies?”
May 20th, 2000 was such a day for me. It’s the day that Central Church in Collierville, TN, … my local church, declared war against Satan and the world, who had established a stronghold of hypersexual sin in our culture. It was on 5/20/2000 that Central Church declared, “Enough is enough;” and we launched Battle Plan Ministry [BPM] in our church to do battle for God and against Satan for as long as it takes in this life to stand against our spiritual enemies who use sexual sin to separate the men of God from their Good Shepherd. The launching of BPM was our church’s declaration of war to honor God and do battle against enemies who would pervert and use sexual temptation to tear down God’s army of men. BPM has now been doing battle for 10 years as a warfare discipleship ministry in God’s arsenal; and though the battle still rages, many victories have been won; and for that we can only stop to declare, ”Praise the LORD!!!”
My Prayer for Today: We fight on, Lord, for Your glory! Amen
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Study from God’s Word… 2nd Kings 24: 20 [2Chron 36: 1; Jer. 52: 3]; 2Kgs 25: 1 [Jer. 39: 1 and 52: 4]; Ezekiel, Chapter 24 … Passage for Reflection: Ezekiel 24: 1 – 2 … NIV 1 In the ninth year, in the tenth month on the tenth day, the word of the LORD came to me: 2 "Son of man, record this date, this very date, because the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.
My Journal for Today: As Dr. Smith points to days which will live, as FDR said, “… in infamy.” There was that day to which FDR was referring, Dec. 7, 1941, … the day Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. And there was certainly the more modern cataclysmic date of Sept. 11, 2001, which we now just refer to as “9/11.” They will never be forgotten because they were days when the world was alerted of the warlike intent of an enemy, causing our nation to go to war. And in today’s highlight passage we read of a date which was marked in the history of God’s chosen people, a day when Nebuchanezzar laid siege to Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple, a day which a number of God’s Prophets had predicted would happen.
And I’m drawn to the question which LaGard Smith uses as a wake-up call at the end of his Aug. 21st devotional entry with Ezek. 24: 1-2 in mind. He writes, ”Could this seemingly ordinary day actually be a day on which, behind the scenes, God is doing something extraordinary in my life?” We could reframe the question saying, “Is this a 9/11 date, where we should recognize the damage that the siege of sin has done in our lives, and where we should declare commitment to God that we’re going to surrender our allegiance to Him but take up warfare against our spiritual enemies?”
May 20th, 2000 was such a day for me. It’s the day that Central Church in Collierville, TN, … my local church, declared war against Satan and the world, who had established a stronghold of hypersexual sin in our culture. It was on 5/20/2000 that Central Church declared, “Enough is enough;” and we launched Battle Plan Ministry [BPM] in our church to do battle for God and against Satan for as long as it takes in this life to stand against our spiritual enemies who use sexual sin to separate the men of God from their Good Shepherd. The launching of BPM was our church’s declaration of war to honor God and do battle against enemies who would pervert and use sexual temptation to tear down God’s army of men. BPM has now been doing battle for 10 years as a warfare discipleship ministry in God’s arsenal; and though the battle still rages, many victories have been won; and for that we can only stop to declare, ”Praise the LORD!!!”
My Prayer for Today: We fight on, Lord, for Your glory! Amen
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
2010 – August 11 – Praying for Alien Nations Where There’s Alienation
Study from God’s Word… Jeremiah 24: 1 – 10; Jer. 29: 1-32; Jer. 27: 1-22; Jer. 28: 1-17 … Passage for Reflection: Jeremiah 29: 4 – 7 … NIV 4 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
My Journal for Today: A lot was happening to and with God’s people, Judah, as they were taken into Babylonian captivity by Nebuchanezzar in Jeremiah’s day. There were false prophets, like Hananiah, who spoke out with lies that God would break the yoke of Nebuchanezzar within two years; and ultimately that lie was exposed by God through Jeremiah; and any false prophet who trumpeted falsehoods such as these were brought down by God. And though the people didn’t want to hear what God said through Jeremiah, he continued to speak the truth of God to His people.
Today we read of advice which had to have been a hard pill to take for the Judeans in captivity. God was telling them to fold into the Babylonian culture, to become productive, to multiply, and above all, to pray to God; and those who followed these commands, which were given to God’s people in Babylon by Jeremiah, would be brought back to their promised land. But they were, going to have to wait for 70 years to see these prophesies come to fruition; and there were those false prophets, like I cited above about Hananiah, who were spouting lies which the people would rather hear, saying that God was going to break the yoke of Babylon in two years. Two years verses seventy years; … and as you might imagine, many would rather go with the “two year” choice.
But those who listened and believed Jeremiah, especially his promises in a well-worn truthful prophesy of Jeremiah 29: 10-14, would be rewarded for their faith. You may know that passage well, especially verse 11 [underlined]: 10 This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill My gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.
And God did take His people back to Jerusalem after 70 years, where we know, from history that God had the Temple rebuilt. We read about it in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. But how does that help us, via application, today? Well, it helps us extract hope from these stories from history, where God prophesied and those of faith were liberated and given the promises of God. And we, who are surrounded by lies and captive in a “Babylon” of sin today, should take heart that God has asked us to stick in there, have faith, live under the rigors of an evil world, and PRAY, PRAY, PRAY to God for His favor. That’s the ever prevalent promise of 2nd Chronicles 7: 14 - linked; isn’t it?
I’ll leave it to you as to what to believe and what to do as aliens, alienated in an evil world. But to paraphrase a famous Jewish leader, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” [see Joshua 24: 14-15 – linked]
My Prayer for Today: Lord, I know that You will never leave those of us who believe in Your promises. Amen
My Journal for Today: A lot was happening to and with God’s people, Judah, as they were taken into Babylonian captivity by Nebuchanezzar in Jeremiah’s day. There were false prophets, like Hananiah, who spoke out with lies that God would break the yoke of Nebuchanezzar within two years; and ultimately that lie was exposed by God through Jeremiah; and any false prophet who trumpeted falsehoods such as these were brought down by God. And though the people didn’t want to hear what God said through Jeremiah, he continued to speak the truth of God to His people.
Today we read of advice which had to have been a hard pill to take for the Judeans in captivity. God was telling them to fold into the Babylonian culture, to become productive, to multiply, and above all, to pray to God; and those who followed these commands, which were given to God’s people in Babylon by Jeremiah, would be brought back to their promised land. But they were, going to have to wait for 70 years to see these prophesies come to fruition; and there were those false prophets, like I cited above about Hananiah, who were spouting lies which the people would rather hear, saying that God was going to break the yoke of Babylon in two years. Two years verses seventy years; … and as you might imagine, many would rather go with the “two year” choice.
But those who listened and believed Jeremiah, especially his promises in a well-worn truthful prophesy of Jeremiah 29: 10-14, would be rewarded for their faith. You may know that passage well, especially verse 11 [underlined]: 10 This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill My gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.
And God did take His people back to Jerusalem after 70 years, where we know, from history that God had the Temple rebuilt. We read about it in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. But how does that help us, via application, today? Well, it helps us extract hope from these stories from history, where God prophesied and those of faith were liberated and given the promises of God. And we, who are surrounded by lies and captive in a “Babylon” of sin today, should take heart that God has asked us to stick in there, have faith, live under the rigors of an evil world, and PRAY, PRAY, PRAY to God for His favor. That’s the ever prevalent promise of 2nd Chronicles 7: 14 - linked; isn’t it?
I’ll leave it to you as to what to believe and what to do as aliens, alienated in an evil world. But to paraphrase a famous Jewish leader, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” [see Joshua 24: 14-15 – linked]
My Prayer for Today: Lord, I know that You will never leave those of us who believe in Your promises. Amen
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